Thursday, March 27, 2014

April 7 - Self-Publishing Panel

Self-publishing has come a long way since the days of vanity publishing. Today, authors can publish e- books, print-on-demand books, or both. Many services provide easy routes to get your book to the public. Authors can be involved throughout the entire creative process, or they may decide to focus on the writing and hand over the whole project. Learn your options in this beginner’s workshop on self-publishing.

Panelists:

Dora Badger, a Detroit writer and editor, has self-published on Amazon.com, as well as other major online booksellers.

Sylvia Hubbard, founder of Motown Writers’ Network, has independently published over 30 books.

We have a reading problem in the United States. It's not that people aren't reading: in fact the Pew Research Center reports that 76% of adults have read a book in the past year. Even kids are reading - and some studies suggest that millennials are more likely to read literature than previous generations. The problem is choice. Readers are drowning in books.

Too Many Books,

Not Enough Time

11,022 books were published in 1950. That number may sound quaint today, but it's still a large number. Read one book a week for sixty years, and you'll still leave two-thirds of those titles untouched. Consider then, the jaw-dropping 978,701 titles Bowker told me were published or self-published in 2012. There's some double counting in that number (print and eBook copies of the same title have separate ISBNs) but it is terrifying, nonetheless.

The influence of bookstores has changed appreciably since Borders bankruptcy: just 20% of frequent readers say they found their last book from a bookstore in 2012, down dramatically from 32% in 2010 according to Peter Hildick-Smith at the Codex Group. (Contrary to popular belief, bookstores are not disappearing en masse. Publisher's Weekly reports 12,703 bookstores in 2013 versus census data counting 12,751 bookstores and news dealers in 2002).

Online retailers like Amazon have not filled this gap. Just 7% of readers found their last book at an online retailer: a number that has barely budged in the last three years. Read More

Jazz guitarist Ed Stone has released his third CD "King Of Hearts." This CD continues to demonstrate Stone's strong skills in song writing, arranging and producing. Ed says, "my songs are written to excite thinking patterns and personal reflection about life's possibilities."

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Straight Ahead Concert Recap

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Next Discussion Event:

Islam and the Blues with Dr. Sylviane DioufSaturday, April 12, 2014 1:00 PM

"The question is not 'Can you make a difference?' You already do make a difference.

It's just a matter of what kind of difference you want to make during your life on this planet."

– Julia Butterfly Hill

Hill is best known for living in a 180-foot (55 m)-tall, 1,000-year-old California Redwood tree for 738 days between December 10, 1997 to December 18, 1999. Hill lived in the tree, affectionately known as "Luna," to prevent loggers of the Pacific Lumber Company from cutting it down.

Friday, March 21, 2014

US vs. THEM' is an American political drama series created and written by author Derek Vitatoe. The series is set and produced in and around Detroit, Michigan.

The show focuses on the fictional union, The United Brotherhood Coalition (UBC), and follows head union officials Catherine McAfee and Kenny Washington, and their staff, as they battle to improve working conditions of hard-working citizens in and around the city of Detroit.

In addition to the main storylines in each episode, subplots explore the private lives of its characters. For example, in season one Catherine McAfee struggles to find the internal balance of being strong and confident in her professional life with being a submissive partner in her personal life.

Each episode of 'US vs. THEM' will introduce a different conflict between UBC, an employer and its employees. The show is "really about organized labor in America and about how the relationship with a company affects the many lives of those who live in the major urban city

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Shaun Moore-Bey and Detroit Bleu--TWO GENERATIONS OF POETIC COOL CD RELEASE MARCH 29, 2014 from 3-6pm at Truth Bookstore inside Northland Mall. It's ONLY FREE but cop that double cd while you're there for ONLY $15!!! — at Truth Bookstore.

In 2013, a house was donatedto me for the purpose of using it to do community work. Subsequently, the Urban Network bookstore i owned & operated was forced to close because the ownersold the building. Instead of giving up or getting down on myself i havedecided to dedicate my time, effort & energy to raising money to rehab the house.

The Impact

In an effort to extend thework of the Urban Network, i am on a mission of transforming the house into theRestoring the Neighbor Back to the Hood Training Center. This facility will operate as a multipurpose, community-oriented virtual business house. Our programming will educate, serveand empower community members by providing literacy classes, digital training,food, and clothing. This facility, rooted in the Zone 8 community of Detroit, will be the concrete application of being rooted with the people and providingpractical programs which will meet the needs of the people.

How You Can Help

i am humbly asking for yoursupport by donating money to rehab this house. All money raised will go towards paying past due taxes, purchasing building supplies, electrical work, hot water tank,furnace & plumbing supplies. "Whatever good comes out of our neighborhoodwill be a result of the good we invest into them." Thank you in advance foryour support. i appreciate you all. Visit www.yusefshakur.org to learn more.

Monday, March 10, 2014

DETROIT, MI –– The award winning Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers will bring stories of “Social Justice” to the stage at the Charles H. Wright Museum. The popular monthly event is one of the 56 winners of the Knight Arts Challenge which funds projects that engage and enrich Detroit through the arts. The event is also a recent recipient of the “Spirit of Detroit” Award.

"Events like the Secret Society's bring out the artist in all of us, helping us to think creatively about our lives and our communities and share the stories that bring people together," said Dennis Scholl, vice president of arts for Knight Foundation.

“Storytelling is a way for people to learn more about themselves and each other,” says Juanita Moore, president of the Charles H. Wright Museum, which hosts the events. “People coming to these shows experience a feeling of life, growth and excitement through connecting, and that deserves a place to be showcased.”

The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect humanity, heal and transform community and provide an uplifting, thought-provoking, soul-cleansing entertainment experience through the art and craft of storytelling.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. Knight Foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged.

Seriously, if you're a lover of the Detroit area, Rocky movies or just enjoy connecting with a great group of supportive people, this is THEE ONE EVENT you will want to attend.

You will walk away swimming in ideas with a heart full of pride, compassion and absolute gratitude. The talks will focus primarily on Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Creativity, Community and Forgiveness. Learn more about the speakers HERE.

If you have any interest in this event at all, you should follow along with us on Facebook or check out the #, #313DLove on Twitter. IF you would like to support AND can't make it, feel free to share ANY of these #313DLove messages via your social messages. We will be sharing a donation page soon.